Three Barrow schools added to AYP list

Overall, half of Barrow’s eight elementary schools, all four middle schools and one of the two high schools met AYP.

At the system level, Barrow County Schools failed to meet AYP in two areas. The initial results indicated that the system fell short in six areas.

Barrow County teachers and administrators are pleased with the revised results.

Holsenbeck Elementary principal Jackie Robinson said she was pleased with her school’s success at meeting AYP.

“The teachers worked to meet each child's needs, the students worked to meet high expectations, and we sincerely appreciate our supportive and involved parents and business community,” she said. “During this school year, we will continue to focus our instruction on all subject areas with a special emphasis in math.”

Statham Principal Mac Almond credited parents and staff for the school’s success.

“The success of our students is a result of teachers, parapros, and supportive parents who give heart and soul and hope to each and every one of our students,” he said.

Superintendent of Barrow County Schools Dr. Ron Saunders encouraged parents and community members to examine Barrow County’s results as well as those of other districts. Saunders said he was confident that all of Barrow County’s schools would continue to help students achieve academic success.

"I am delighted that three more of our schools have been determined by the State to have achieved AYP after the re-testing of students,” he said. “The increasing demands of No Child Left Behind continue to challenge all of our educators to work harder and smarter to meet the standards.”

State law requires schools to administer Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) to all students in grades 1-8 in the spring of each year. The CRCT is designed to measure how well students know the state’s curriculum. CRCT scores are used for AYP determinations at the elementary and middle school level. They are also used to determine student promotion or retention.

In grades 3, 5 & 8, students must meet standards to be promoted. Third grade students must meet standards in reading on the CRCT. Fifth and eighth grades students must meet standards in both reading and mathematics. If a student does not meet standards on the CRCT in reading and/or mathematics, they are offered accelerated, additional, and/or differentiated instruction. After receiving accelerated, additional, and/or differentiated instruction, students have an opportunity to take the CRCT for a second time. For the first time, Georgia is including these re-test results in the AYP determinations.